"I've caught more fish this week here than I have in my entire life," exclaimed Brian, who happened to be visiting his cousin in West Virginia during spring break. His cousin replied, "Fishing is this good every year. You should come back again next year."

Almost heaven has become synonymous with the endless array of trout-fishing opportunities that many anglers who live or visit the Mountain State get to partake of each year. Nothing has done more to expand and enhance trout fishing in the Mountain State than its put-and-take trout stocking of which West Virginia ranks as one of the nation's elite.

Each year, between 700,000 and 800,000 pounds of trout are stocked in West Virginia streams and lakes. Last year, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR) put in a whooping 771,445 pounds of trout in Mountain State waterways. Additionally, over 300,000 fingerling trout are stocked in our state's small streams and rivers annually.

Trout stocking in the Mountain State begins in January and February with limited deliveries, but stocking really swings into full gear from March through May. This period delineates the heart of the traditional trout season when the majority of trout are stocked in West Virginia's waters.

After a break in the summer when water temperatures get too warm, stocking resumes again for two weeks in October, when about 35,000 pounds of trout are spread throughout select Mountain State streams and lakes. In 2005, a grand total of 1,164,560 trout were stocked into our state's waters.

Hatchery production looks good for 2006, according to Mike Shingleton, who heads up West Virginia's trout program for the DNR. There is a bit of concern because of last fall's dry conditions. You see, the number and size of trout available for 2006 stockings are directly influenced by the weather conditions in 2005.

According to Shingleton, trout must be transferred from hatcheries, which have abundant water supplies, to streams that may not have adequate water to support large numbers of trout through the summer. Since dry conditions persisted through last summer and into the fall, trout had to be held longer before being spread throughout the state's hatchery system.

This spread is vital in order for trout to attain accelerated growth rates for the following year's production. Many variables can affect a trout's growth rate, including food, water conditions at the hatcheries and especially the amount of raceway space available. During most years, the DNR hatchery staff is able to overcome the stunted growth effects caused by a lengthy drought.

When all is said and done, anglers should look for a good year in 2006, as 77 small impoundments and 124 streams are scheduled to receive generous portions of rainbow, golden rainbow, brown and brook trout.

SOUTH BRANCH RIVER
The mere mention of the South Branch River sends visions of trophy trout dancing through the minds of serious anglers. Over the years, the South Branch has developed a well-deserved reputation for big trout, and for several years, the river has been West Virginia's No. 1 producer of trophy trout, tripling the number of trophy fish citations from other trout waters in the state.

The South Branch currently holds the state record for brown trout (32 inches, 16 pounds). A check of the West Virginia trophy citation program reveals that on more than one occasion, the South Branch has claimed the state's largest trout, and during some years, this productive fishery has claimed the top prize for multiple species of trout.

Stocking on the South Branch begins in January, but heavy numbers of fish start hitting the water in March. From March through May, the South Branch gets a fresh stocking every week.